Cessna 165 Aircraft under $100,000

Under $100k for a piston single is the value-entry price band — typically older airframes (1960s-80s), mid-life or run-out engines, original or basic avionics with retrofit ADS-B Out compliance. These are entry-budget trainers and touring singles. Budget realistically for engine work, ADS-B Out compliance if not yet installed, panel upgrades and corrosion-area inspection.

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The Cessna 165 Airmaster is a late-1930s four-seat, high-wing classic — an early Cessna cabin single built in small numbers before the war. With around 145 hp and a ~110-kt cruise it is a collector and antique proposition rather than a practical modern traveler. Buyers are taking on a rare prewar airframe, so condition, documentation, restoration history and parts availability matter far more than performance numbers.

Cessna 165 aircraft for sale

· 4-seat · Reference price ~$120,000 ($70,000–$220,000) · updated recently

Cessna 165 Specifications

Model spec

The Cessna 165 is a 4-seat single engine piston with a cruise speed of 110–150 kt (204–278 km/h), a range of 500–600 nm (926–1,111 km), and a useful load of 850–1,200 lbs (386–544 kg).

Performance
Cruise110–150 kt (204–278 km/h)
Max Speed120–162 kt (222–300 km/h)
Range500–600 nm (926–1,111 km)
Service Ceiling15,000–18,000 ft (4,572–5,486 m)
Engine & Fuel
EngineWARNER Super Scarab
Horsepower145–300 HP
Fuel Capacity46.0–53.0 gal (174–201 L)
Fuel Burn9.0–14.0 GPH (34–53 L/h)
TBO1,200–1,500 hrs
Weights & Seats
Seats4–5
Max Gross Weight2,200–3,350 lbs (998–1,520 kg)
Useful Load850–1,200 lbs (386–544 kg)
Production1939–1941

Cessna 165 for Sale

No Cessna 165 currently listed for sale.

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Cessna 165 Variants

Variant Years Seats Cruise Range Useful load Price range Best for Listings for sale
190 1947–1951 5 140 kts (259 km/h) 600 nm (1,111 km) 1,100 lbs (499 kg) — A classic radial-engined taildragger — a roomy, characterful vintage Cessna for collectors and enthusiasts. 1
195 1947–1954 5 150 kts (278 km/h) 600 nm (1,111 km) 1,200 lbs (544 kg) $69K – $275K A classic radial-engined taildragger — a roomy, characterful vintage Cessna for collectors and enthusiasts. 6

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Cessna 165 Price & Cost

Cessna 165 Price Guide

Key price factors: engine time to overhaul, year and airframe hours, avionics, damage history and logbook completeness — see the buying guide below for the full pre-purchase checklist.

Cessna 165 Cost of Ownership estimate
Fuel (9.0 GPH × $6.20, 100 hrs)$5,580/yr
Annual Fixed (hangar, insurance, annual)$20,000/yr
Variable (per hour)$180/hr
Engine Overhaul (every 1,200 hrs)$40,000
Estimates at 100 flight hours/year. Actual costs vary by usage, location and insurance.

Warner Super Scarab parts are rare and require specialist sourcing, and fabric inspection and vintage-construction annuals require an A&P with specific vintage expertise. The Cessna 165's annual inspection cost is largely determined by mechanic access, not parts price - finding the right inspector is the primary challenge. Fuel burn around 9 gph is moderate for the era.

Buying guides: Buyer's Guide | Financing Guide | Pre-Buy Inspection

Buying a Used Cessna 165

Buying a Cessna 165 comes down to a focused pre-purchase checklist — here is what matters most on this model:

What to check before buying

The Cessna C-165 Airmaster is a late-1930s four-seat taildragger powered by a Warner Super Scarab radial engine (around 165 hp, per the model designation), producing approximately 110 knots cruise and 500 nm range. It is a pre-war certificated aircraft in the true vintage category, distinguished by its clean cantilever-wing design and radial engine.

Airmaster heritage. The Cessna Airmaster series was Cessna's flagship before World War II and built the company's reputation for aerodynamically clean designs; the 165 was the highest-powered Airmaster. Flying a certificated Airmaster today is a full commitment to vintage aviation: pre-war materials, radial-engine maintenance, and fabric-covered construction.

Rarity and specialist maintenance. The Cessna 165 is rare. Warner Super Scarab parts, qualified radial mechanics, and fabric-inspection expertise are all required. This is not a utility aircraft for regular use - it is a show-quality or historically significant aircraft for collectors with access to the specialist resources its maintenance demands.

Buy it if you are an experienced vintage-aircraft owner with Warner Super Scarab expertise available, seek a pre-war Cessna for collection or display, and understand this is among the most specialist ownership commitments in the certificated piston fleet.

Frequently Asked Questions — Cessna 165

What is the Cessna 165 Airmaster?
The Cessna 165 (C-165 Airmaster) is a 1930s four-seat single-engine high-wing classic, produced 1939–1941, powered by a Warner Super Scarab radial engine and cruising approximately 110 kt. Part of the pre-war Airmaster family, it is a rare, collectible antique with a radial engine and period construction — fast and efficient for its era.
What makes the Cessna 165 significant?
As an Airmaster, the 165 represents Cessna's pre-war cabin-monoplane lineage — refined and efficient for the 1930s, with the character of a radial-engine antique. Very few were built and fewer survive airworthy, so it is primarily of interest to antique-aircraft collectors rather than practical buyers.
What should I inspect on a Cessna 165?
The Warner Super Scarab radial (a specialist engine — overhaul and parts require dedicated antique-engine shops), the airframe structure and any wood/fabric components, and the completeness of documentation and airworthiness history on an 80-plus-year-old antique. A pre-buy by an antique-aircraft specialist is essential.
Is the Cessna 165 a practical aircraft to own?
It is a collector's antique, not a practical transport aircraft. Ownership requires antique-radial-engine expertise, tolerance for limited parts availability, and the commitment vintage aircraft demand. For enthusiasts who want a flying piece of Cessna's pre-war history it is rewarding; for practical flying, a modern Cessna single is the appropriate choice.

Cessna 165 Inventory by Country

United States1

Cessna 165 Safety Record

Across all 165 variants, 1 NTSB-recorded events are on file from 1986–1986. As with any aircraft, most outcomes depend on pilot training, maintenance and operating conditions rather than the airframe itself.

1

Total Events

1

Incidents

0

Serious

0

Fatal

Most Recent Events

Date Location Severity Probable Cause
Oct 12, 1986 EMMETT, ID Incident —

NTSB records 1986–1986. Includes all Cessna 165 variants. Events ≠ aircraft fault.

Disclaimer: All prices, cost estimates, and market values shown are based on asking prices from third-party sources and are provided for informational purposes only. AeroGurus is not an appraiser, broker, or financial advisor. Always obtain a professional appraisal and independent inspection before making a purchase decision.
Listings last refreshed recently · Data: FAA Registry, NTSB · About our data